Melvin Jerusalem’s reign as WBC minimumweight champion ended in painful and dramatic fashion Sunday morning (Manila time), as rival Siyakholwa Kuse from South Africa survived a late knockdown to wrest the title by unanimous decision at the Emperor’s Palace in South Africa.
In a bruising rematch marked by blood, grit, and revenge, Jerusalem floored Kuse in the 11th round, producing the lone knockdown of the 12-round world title clash. But the late surge came too late for the Filipino champion, who had spent most of the fight battling through a nasty cut near his left eye caused by an accidental clash of heads in the third round.
The judges scored the bout 116-111, 116-112, and 115-111, all in favor of Kuse, who avenged his loss to Jerusalem seven months after their first meeting at the Araneta Coliseum during the 50th anniversary of the “Thrilla in Manila.”
Jerusalem, 32, entered enemy territory hoping to repeat his unanimous decision victory over the 22-year-old South African last October. He arrived in South Africa three weeks before the fight with trainer Michael Domingo, but the champion’s night took a brutal turn early when the cut opened and blood began pouring from the damaged eye.
Kuse quickly capitalized on the injury, pressing forward and targeting the wounded Filipino as Jerusalem struggled to regain control. Though the South African also absorbed punishment and had his left eye nearly swollen shut, he had already built enough momentum on the scorecards before Jerusalem’s desperate late rally.
Despite losing his title, Jerusalem accepted the defeat with grace.
“No excuses, guys,” Jerusalem said in a Facebook Live from his hotel room, saying he had been head-butted for the first time in his career, not just once but three times, including one that left a cut above his forehead.
“Yung mga naniniwala sa akin, maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Hindi sa atin ngayon yung araw. Congrats kay Kuse,” he added.
With the loss, Jerusalem dropped to 25-4 with 12 knockouts, while Kuse improved to 10-3 with four knockouts and became the new WBC minimumweight king.
Jerusalem’s defeat also leaves IBF mini-flyweight champion Pedro Taduran as the Philippines’ lone reigning world champion.